Patents by Inventor Bret A. Evans

Bret A. Evans has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8755532
    Abstract: An audio circuit and associated method for enhanced intelligibility of audio content includes a first means for receiving reproduced audio content, a microphone for providing a microphone output signal in accordance with ambient noise, a second means for enabling the microphone output signal when the reproduced audio content is off, and disabling the microphone output signal when the reproduced audio content is on, and a signal processor, in communication with the first and second means. The signal processor applies a transfer function to the reproduced audio content for increasing gain to the reproduced audio content as a function of increasing amplitude of the microphone output signal, and decreasing gain to the reproduced audio content signal as a function of decreasing amplitude of the microphone output signal, and applies an equalization curve to the audio content to boost frequencies in a range that enhances consonant perception thus increasing speech intelligibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Bret Evan Lee, Ken Harris
  • Publication number: 20100142716
    Abstract: An audio circuit and associated method for enhanced intelligibility of audio content includes a first means for receiving reproduced audio content, a microphone for providing a microphone output signal in accordance with ambient noise, a second means for enabling the microphone output signal when the reproduced audio content is off, and disabling the microphone output signal when the reproduced audio content is on, and a signal processor, in communication with the first and second means. The signal processor applies a transfer function to the reproduced audio content for increasing gain to the reproduced audio content as a function of increasing amplitude of the microphone output signal, and decreasing gain to the reproduced audio content signal as a function of decreasing amplitude of the microphone output signal, and applies an equalization curve to the audio content to boost frequencies in a range that enhances consonant perception thus increasing speech intelligibility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: Thomson Licensing LLC
    Inventors: Bret Evan Lee, Ken Harris
  • Publication number: 20020152098
    Abstract: A system for facilitating interaction with an insurance service includes a processor unit for executing program instructions, a memory for storing the program instructions, and a communication interface for interacting with a user. The system further includes interface logic for providing a graphical interface presentation to the user concerning the insurance service, including at least one of: (a) a first dashboard display for presenting overview information with respect to the renewal of at least one insurance policy; (b) a second dashboard display for presenting overview information with respect to the processing of at least one automatic agreement; (c) a third dashboard display for presenting overview information with respect to the processing of at least one insurance claim; and (d) a fourth dashboard display for presenting executive-level overview information compiled from information presented in the first, second and third dashboard displays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: Bret A. Evans, Peter G. Jaisle
  • Patent number: 5818197
    Abstract: A universal interface plate has a predetermined and universal configuration suitable for connecting any one of a plurality of types of rechargeable batteries to the circuitry of a charging device. The universal plate is adapted to any type of rechargeable battery using an appropriate bay adapter, the bay adapter including a first interface for mounting the bay adapter to the universal interface plate and a second interface for accommodating a particular type of battery. The charging device utilizes a ramping charge method whereby batteries are initially charged at a low charging rate, thereby allowing safe charging of low and high capacity batteries utilizing a single charging algorithm. The charging rate is increased incrementally after determining whether the incremental current increase would cause the power to the battery to exceed the maximum power that can be handled by the bay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Alexander Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Jay S. Miller, Bret Evan Mumm, Trent Lee Bollman